Wales captain Michael Owen has paid tribute to Scott Johnson following the announcement of his departure to Australia and is looking forward to locking horns with him at the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

Michael Owen says Wales haven't seen the last of Coach Scott Johnson and they certainly haven't heard the last of him. Johnson became the second Wales Coach to resign in six weeks ahead of a move back to Australia, and Owen is looking forward to playing the Wallabies at next year's Rugby World Cup.

"I'm sure he'll be on the touchline during the Rugby World Cup, giving us plenty of stick, but we won't mind that," the Wales skipper said. "Scott has been awesome. He and Steve Hansen introduced the brand of rugby we're playing. Scott has been the best coach many of us have ever worked with. He's a nice guy and he's a tremendous coach.

"This has been a torturous decision for Scott to make. He's leaving with a heavy heart, but he is returning to Australia for the right reasons. It was expected, but it's still really disappointing. As a group of players, we are now just looking forward to the new coach coming in and doing what we can for him."

Owen said the players would welcome an input into the selection process: "As players, we just get on with the job and give the best possible performances for the new coaching team. There are no preferences, as far as we are concerned.

"If the selection panel feel they can learn anything by speaking to the players, we would be delighted to help. We just want the best man for the job. If we can get the right person, we can move forward as a team."

Actor and Millennium Stadium Tour Guide Gareth Bale has been performing his one-man play about Wales rugby legend Ray Gravell across Wales. He chats to WRU TV before taking his show to the Edinburgh Festival.

After widespread consultation, the WRU has made major changes to its pathway programme for girls rugby with a spring and summer season being introduced with immediate effect in order to respond to a clear demand to play the game.

Martyn Phillips addresses the press after being unveiled as the Welsh Rugby Union's new group chief executive. Phillips, who is originally from Fishguard, will work alongside WRU Chairman Gareth Davies, to lead and manage the strategic and operational development and evolution of the governing body at a time of rapid change within the game and will take up his new role at the WRU in the autumn.

The Webb Ellis Cup visited Lampeter on Monday to recognise the fact that the town is celebrating a major milestone as it is believed the first ever game of rugby played in Wales, was in fact played in Lampeter 150 years ago.